WICHITA, Kan. – Jacksonville State sophomore catcher Bear Madliak was named to the 2014 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award watch list, one of 63NCAA Division I catchers placed on this year's list and one of only two catcher from Conference USA on the list.

The National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award honors the nation's top NCAA Division I collegiate catcher as voted on by head coaches and sports information directors. Kyle Teel from the University of Virginia won the 2023 Buster Posey Award, and was then selected 14th overall in the 2023 MLB draft by the Boston Red Sox.

The 2024 winner will be announced on June 26th at the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet. Three finalists will be invited to attend the banquet hosted by the Wichita Sports Commission. Sam Houston's Walker Janek joins Madliak on the list from CUSA.

Madliak has been behind the plate for all 38 games for the Gamecocks this season and has excelled both defensively and one of Jax State's top offense threats. The Carrollton, Georgia native has managed the pitching staff and controlled the opposition on the base paths this season. He ranks among the league leaders in throwing runners out on the base paths with 18 on the season.

Offensively, Madliak enters the stretch run of the CUSA schedule hitting .307 on the season with 46 hits on the season, including eight extra base hits. He has delivered 19 RBI and has scored 24 runs for the Gamecocks. Madliak has also reached base 21 times via walk or hit-by-pitch. He has collected 11 multi-hit games, including a team-high four three-hit games this season and has seven games with multiple RBI. He enters the weekend series with New Mexico State having reached base in 29 consecutive games.

Madliak and the Gamecocks will host the Aggies of NMSU this weekend on Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium. The series begins on Friday, April 26 at 6 p.m. Tickets for all three games this weekend are available at JaxStateSports.com.